Yet it is Gerrard that is the supporters’ favourite and with 596 matches under the skipper’s belt for the club so far it is difficult to argue, with the England international scoring 147 goals and providing 83 assists in that time.

The defining moment so far in the midfielder’s career on Merseyside is widely believed to be lifting the Champions League in 2005, when against the odds Gerrard inspired a Liverpool comeback against AC Milan despite being 3-0 down at half-time.

In that match the captain scored the first of the Reds’ goals and then won the penalty that Alonso put away for their third.

During 15 years at Anfield Gerrard has won 11 trophies, which has also included two FA Cups, three League cups and the UEFA Cup.